Special Edition of Bible Study
Ancient Measures

The chart below lists the measures used in the Old & New Testament, and
their approximate modern equivalences.

Now in ancient times throughout Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Holy Land,
the “cubit” was the basic unit for measuring short distances. It continued to be
used in the Greco-Roman World, along with linear measurements of Roman
& Greek origins.

The Israelites based their units of capacity on the measurements used by the
Egyptians, Assyrians, and the Babylonians. Later they also adopted Greek and
Roman measures for liquids and dry volumes, such as grain.

ANCIENT MEASURES IN THE SCRIPTURES

Old Testament New Testament
(Linear Measures) (Linear Measures)

Unit Metric US Unit Metric US

finger 1.85 CM 3/4 inch cubit 44.4 CM 1 ft 6 Inches

palm 7.4 CM 3 inches long cubit 52.5 CM 1 ft 9 inches

span 26.2 CM 81/4 inches fathom 1.78 M 5 ft 10 inches

cubit 44.4 CM 1 ft 6 inches stade 178 M 600 feet

royal cubit 52.5 CM 1 ft 9 inches Mile (Roman) 1482 M 0.92 mile

( Dry Measures ) ( Dry Measures )

Unit Metric US Unit Metric US

kab 1.2 L 21/3 dry pints lirta (Greek) 0.45 KG…
& 1 pound
omer 2.2 L 2 dry quarts libra (Latin) 0.45 KG…

seah 7.33 L 1/5 bushel

ephah 22 L 3/5 bushel

homer 220 L 61/4 bushels

( Liquid Measures ) ( Liquid Measures )

Unit Metric US Unit Metric US

log 0.3 L 1/3 quart xestes (Greek)…….
& 0.54 L 1 pint
hin 3.66 L 4 quarts sextarius (Latin)……

bath 22 L 51/2 gallon choinix (Greek) 1.08 L 1 quart

homer/kor 220 L 58 gallons metretes (Greek) 39 L 10 1/3 gal

Now Steve, I hope that will help you as you in your Lesson tomorrow,
and future Lessons as well.

In Christ’s Service,

On this day...

• The Teachable Spirit - 2007
• Just Enough Light To Walk By - 2007
• Getting Heaven Into Your Heart - 2007
• The Wolf Needs Little Tempting - 2007
• Transformation Of A Life Devoted To God - 2007
• Be Wary Of Folly - 2007
• Death Of The Flesh - 2007
• Metamorphosis Of Slander - 2007
• Draw Near To Him, HE Will Draw Near To You - 2007
• There Is Light, Because There Is A Shadow - 2007